NightTalk withAubrey Masango

Fibroids are benign tumours that grow in the wall of the womb plaguing the lives of millions of South African women. For many, it’s unbearable, causing unceasing bleeding, and even infertility.

Maryanne Kellerman underwent a groundbreaking and life changing treatment that kills fibroids by cutting off their food supply with minimal invasion.

Many women in years gone by, and even today, sadly ended up having early hysterectomies, even before childbirth, because they were never offered any alternatives. The traditional myomectomy doesn’t work well for fibroids buried deep in the uterine wall. Gynecologists also told Maryanne she would need a hysterectomy.

But Maryanne didn't want to do the hysterectomy, instead asked doctors if there isn't another option. Doctors told her about the fibroid embolisation. She then heard about Dr Gary Sudwarts, radiologist at UCT Private Academic Hospital.

The radiologist does this groundbreaking procedure in a special theater or cath lab where catheters and wires are inserted through a tiny incision in the leg. The surgeon moves these wires into the uterine arteries where thousands of tiny inert plastic particles are injected.

These particles move to the arteries of the fibroids and are of just the right size to block them, forming a clot, which cuts of the nutritional supply causing the fibroids to shrink and die.